EGGS CHEAPER: RISE EXPECTED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18056, 17 January 1927, Page 7

EGGS CHEAPER: RISE EXPECTED.

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT PLENTIFUL.

Last week there was a further decline in the price of eggs, amounting to from M to Id a dozen. On the wholesale market prices varied, but first grade hen eggs made up to Is 7*d a dozen and second grade up to Is CM. It is not expected that there will be any further decreases in the price of eggs this season. The supply is now showing definite signs of falling off and the Only thing that is keeping the price down is the fact that the demand has also fallen off. Before the holidays there was a considerable demand from the North Island, but this demand has now ceased. There are apparently sufficient eggs being produced in the North lo satisfy the demand. However, with the decreasing supply locally it is quite possible that the price of eggs will start to go up again in a week or two. BUTTER AND SUGAR.. Christchurch grocers are still pursuing the policy of selling butter at cost price and the best factory can be obtained at Is 5d a lb in the shops. This is the price that factories charge the grocers, so that, the sale of butter must represent a loss to the grocers at present. Owing to the increased demand for sugar for jam-making, there was quite a distinct shortage of this commodity in Christchurch iast. week. However, there should be plenty of sugar available th-‘s week as a consignment arrived in Lyttelton from Auckland on Friday. This sugar will be distributed during the week. VEGETABLES AND FRUIT. Vegetables and fruit are plentiful at present, and prices generally arc fairly reasonable. Cabbages cost 3d each, cauliflowers 6d and 9d each, lettuces Id, 2d and 3d each, parsnips 2d a bunch, spring onions 2d a bunch, scarlet. runners 9d a lb, French beans Is a lb, potatoes 61b and Sib for Is, peas Is 3d a peck, marrows 3d a lb, local hothouse grown cucumbers Is 6cl a lb. Sydney outdoor-grown cucumbers 9d each. The first Irish peach apples of the season were on sale in the shops today. They were marked at Sd a lb. There were very few bananas available this morning, and they were dear at six and eight for Is. A fresh shipment is expected to come to hand this week. Canadian apples cost si'x for Is, American lemons six for Is, pears Gd a lb. hot-house-grown tomatoes Is 3d a lb, others Is and 9d a lb, peaches 6d and 9d a IV). and 31b for Is, apricots Gd and 9d a lb. oranges three for Is, plums Gd a lb. black currants 6d a lb, gooseberries 6d a lb, raspberries < getting done} Is Gd a box. grapes 4s a lb, cocoanuts (fresh shipment! Gd each, pineapples Gd and Is each. FISH AND MEAT. There were fairly good supplies of fresh fish available this morning, though the variety was not great. Following are some prices a lb: Groper Is (in the piece!. Is 3d (cutlets), ling Sd. kingfish Is and soles and flounders Is. Good supplies of smoked fish were available at standard prices. Since the holidays there have been no marked increases in price at the Addington stock sale. The price of fat sheep and fat lambs has advanced somewhat, but the increases have not been great, and in each case values are still reasonable, and are a good deal lower than they were at this time last year. Fat cattle have not shown any increase in price since the holidays. In fact, if aything. there has been a downward tendency, and fat cattle are cheap buy nig at present. The result is that beef is the cheapest line in the shops. This is to be expected at this time of the year, as beef is not in great demand in hot weather.